Witnessing Others’ Pain

People can only be where we are. They can’t be where they’re not. Unsolicited advice to someone in pain is actually rather insulting and judgmental.

Unless you’re someone’s spiritual guide, you are out-of-line in telling them that their predicament is their “story” or how they should rise above it. It may, in fact, BE a “story,” but if you’re not their guide or their therapist and thus have an explicit contract to intervene in their process — STFU.

If you’ve got some nonduality thing that’s actually worked for you and is authentic, let it show in an open and transparent presence to their process… and keep your mouth shut unless they ask for your thoughts. If it’s real, simply “witnessing” their process the most helpful thing you can do. If it’s just your egoic shtick, at least you won’t be adding to their wounding.